Photo by: Justin Edmonds

An exhibition featuring early influential DU art professors titled, “Painters and Sculptors at the University of Denver 1930-1965: From Regionalism to Abstraction” is being held at the Myhren Gallery in DU’s Schwayder Art Building until May 6.

The exhibit features eight professors whose work contributed to promoting new styles of modern art not only at DU but in Colorado and Denver. It also marks a new scholarly research project that documents the evolution of the School of Art and Art History.

Short research essays, prepared by art students, can be found throughout the gallery on the school’s history and the careers of the featured professors.

The featured artists include: Otto Karl Back, John Billmyer, Marion Buchan, Mina Conant, Vance Kirkland, Arnold and Louise Emerson RCB6nnebeck and William Sanderson.

“The minute my hands touched the clay I knew I wanted to be a sculptor…it was never a hobby,” says Marion Buchan in a quote explaining her sculptures.

The exhibit focuses on the creative output of these art professors, who emphasized modern shapes and color arrangements.

Louis Emerson RCB6nnebeck’s portraits are simple, earthy forms that convey a great depth of emotion. Kirkland’s pieces range from a disturbingly realistic portrait to Pollock-like splatters of rainbow paint that seem surprisingly deliberate. Buchan’s sculptures denote her classic training, but her style reflects a modern and simple twist on the classic human figure. William Sanderson’s paintings portray technically detailed abstract shapes that seem surprisingly warm and homey.

The styles range from grey industrial formless matter by John Billmeyer to bright, angled Episcopalian inspired paintings of Mina Conant.

Admission is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.